Written by Amanda Stevens, B.S.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a 12-step program where members follow certain principles to help them overcome alcohol use disorder and addiction. Those exploring addiction treatment or addiction recovery might consider joining an A.A. group because of its success and popularity. However, outside of A.A. members, most people are unaware of what the 12 steps are or how they help members achieve lasting sobriety.

In this blog, you’ll learn what A.A. is and what the 12 steps in the recovery process mean.

Key Points

  • A.A. is one of the most successful programs for helping people with alcoholism achieve sobriety.
  • A.A. is peer-run and operates in more than 180 nations.
  • Members follow the 12-step principles to keep them accountable and focused on their recovery.
  • 12-step groups are held indoors, outdoors, and virtually.
  • It is free to join A.A., and sober spectators can attend meetings.

What Does A.A. Stand For?

A.A. stands for Alcoholics Anonymous, sometimes abbreviated as AA or Al-Anon. According to the organization:[1]

“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. AA’s primary purpose is to help alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”

Alcoholics Anonymous began in 1935 with its first group meeting held in Akron, Ohio.[2] The meeting was attended by Bill W., a stockbroker from New York, and Bob S., a local surgeon. Prior to this initial meeting, Bob had been in contact with the Oxford Group, a non-alcoholic fellowship that emphasized universal spiritual values for daily living.

With this spiritual influence, both Bill and another member achieved sobriety. Bill credited his recovery to these principles and provided Bob with peer support along with these principles to assist him in reaching sobriety. They recognized that prior to these two approaches — peer support and spiritual principles — none of the other members had attained recovery.

Soon afterward, both men started working with people battling alcoholism at Akron City Hospital. One patient quickly attained sobriety, and together, the three men established the very first A.A. group.

Today, more than 180 nations host A.A. meetings around the world.[2]

How Does A.A. Work?

Members of Alcoholics Anonymous use a program called “12 Step” to support their recovery and maintain sobriety. These spiritually inspired principles help members overcome their obsession with drinking and recover from alcoholism.[1] Since all A.A. locations follow the 12 Step program, the organization stays unified.

They also adhere to programs from the “Big Book”.[3] This book explains how the first 100 members of Alcoholics Anonymous achieved sobriety. It has been translated into more than 70 languages and is considered a fundamental text within the group.[3]

What Are the 12 Steps of A.A.?

The 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are found in a book called “12 Steps and 12 Traditions.” All members of A.A. follow these principles to the best of their ability to overcome alcoholism.

The 12 Steps are:[4]

  1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
  2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
  3. Decided to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
  4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
  5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
  6. We’re entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
  7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
  8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
  9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
  10. Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
  11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
  12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

What Are the 12 Traditions of A.A.?

Members of Alcoholics Anonymous follow not only the 12 Steps but also the 12 Traditions. The Traditions address important questions about public relations, donations, finance, and the overall purpose of A.A. Additionally, they provide guidelines for how members should interact with each other and with the global movement.

The 12 Traditions are as follows:[5]

  1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
  2. For our group’s purpose, there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
  3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
  4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
  5. Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
  6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
  7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
  8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
  9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
  10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
  11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we always need to maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
  12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Who Needs A.A.?

According to the Harvard Gazette, A.A. is the most commonly sought-out source for help with alcohol addiction and alcohol related problems in the United States.[6] Anyone who struggles with alcohol abuse or addiction can find support by joining Alcoholics Anonymous. Individuals with narcotic addictions may also attend meetings, although there are dedicated groups for them under the acronym NA, or Narcotics Anonymous.

What to Expect in an A.A. Meeting

In Alcoholics Anonymous, there are two meeting types: open meetings and closed meetings.[7] Open meetings are for anyone interested in recovering from alcoholism, though people without a drinking problem may attend as observers.[7] Closed meetings are for members and those who have a strong desire to stop drinking.[7]

Meetings are offered online, over the telephone, and in person. The members of each Alcoholics Anonymous chapter will decide when, where, and how often they will meet.

In-person meetings are held in rented spaces, such as:[7]

  • Community centers
  • Recreational centers
  • Treatment centers
  • Office buildings
  • Churches

According to aa.org, some meetings might be held outdoors at beaches, parks, or other open locations.[7]

Virtual meetings are held by telephone or online. Some meetings may require members to appear on cameras, while others will not.[7]

How Meetings Are Conducted

In any Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, the chair typically opens with the preamble and reads from A.A. literature.[7] Some meetings begin with a moment of silence or the recitation of the Serenity Prayer. If there are new members present, the chair may invite them to introduce themselves, though this is not mandatory.

Most meetings begin with reading from Chapter 3 or 5 of the “Big Book,” which explains how the meetings work and offers more information about alcoholism.[7] After the reading, members have the opportunity to gather, introduce themselves, and engage in conversations. New members are then paired with a sponsor or a recovering member who can provide guidance and support throughout their journey to sobriety. Additionally, new members commit to following the 12 steps of A.A.

Is A.A Peer-Run?

Yes, Alcoholics Anonymous is a peer-run organization. A.A. meetings are led by a chair who has struggled to overcome alcoholism. They operate as volunteers who may also serve as sponsors, among other roles.

What Is the Success Rate of AA?

According to Stanford Medicine, Alcoholics Anonymous is the most effective path to abstinence.[8] Researchers at the Stanford School of Medicine found A.A. to be 60% more effective than other interventions or no intervention at all.[8]

How Long Do Members Stay in A.A.?

Although many members have specific goals like 30, 60, or 90 days, it’s common for people to continue attending A.A. meetings for a longer period. Some may participate for life. Members are encouraged to support each other on their journey to sobriety, which can include returning to Alcoholics Anonymous after achieving their goals to help others reach theirs.

Finding Support for Alcohol or Drug Addiction

To locate an Alcoholics Anonymous group nearby, visit aa.org. You can also find rehabilitation centers, such as Southeast Detox GA, that provide programs based on Alcoholics Anonymous principles, including 12-step and peer support groups, in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Contact us to learn more about our 12-step program and other evidence-based options available to support your journey to sobriety.

Sources

[1] Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). What is A.A.? Retrieved from https://www.aa.org/what-is-aa on 2025 Aug 8.

[2] Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). The State and Growth of A.A. Retrieved from https://www.aa.org/the-start-and-growth-of-aa#:~:text=A.A.%20began%20in%201935%20in,Both%20had%20been%20hopeless%20alcoholics on 2025 Aug 8.

[3] Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d). The Big Book. Retrieved from https://www.aa.org/the-big-book on 2025 Aug 8.

[4] Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). The Twelve Steps. Retrieved from https://www.aa.org/the-twelve-steps on 2025 Aug 8.

[5] Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). The Twelve Traditions. Retrieved from https://www.aa.org/the-twelve-traditions on 2025 Aug 8.

[6] The Harvard Gazette. (2011 Sep 12). What Makes AA Work? Retrieved from https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/09/what-makes-aa-work/ on 2025 Aug 8.

[7] Alcoholics Anonymous. (n.d.). What to Expect at an A.A. Meeting. Retrieved from https://www.aa.org/information-about-meetings on 2025 Aug 8.

[8] Stanford Medicine. (2020 Mar 11). Alcoholics Anonymous: Most Effective Path to Alcohol Abstinence. Retrieved from https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/03/alcoholics-anonymous-most-effective-path-to-alcohol-abstinence.html on 2025 Aug 8.

FAQs

What is Alcoholics Anonymous?

Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) is an anonymous peer support group for individuals struggling with alcohol abuse or addiction.

Do I have to stay in A.A.?

Membership in Alcoholics Anonymous is completely voluntary. While individuals struggling with alcohol addiction are encouraged to join, it is not mandatory. Members are free to leave at any point during their recovery, but they are urged to stay in order to achieve their sobriety goals.

Are all members of Alcoholics Anonymous anonymous?

Some groups encourage members to share their names and a little bit about themselves, but many do not. It isn’t uncommon for members of Alcoholics Anonymous to remain anonymous for the entirety of their attendance.